No Government Shutdown This Fall: What It Means for Your Park Trips

If you have a national park trip booked this fall and are wondering about a repeat of last year’s shutdown, the short answer is: not this October. Congress passed a stopgap funding bill early, and it was signed into law on September 2, so there is no lapse in funding as the new fiscal year begins on October 1.

Photo: Mike Stoll

What Happened

The Senate approved the bill 90-6 in August, and the House followed on September 1 with a 370-48 vote. President Trump signed H.R. 6500, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027, on September 2. It funds federal agencies through December 11, 2026 — a 72-day stretch covering roughly the first ten weeks of the fiscal year, according to the Congressional Research Service.

Why Campers Should Care

Last year’s shutdown ran from October 1 to November 12, 2025, right in the middle of fall camping season. The Congressional Research Service reports that the Park Service’s contingency plan projected furloughs for roughly 64 percent of its workforce. Most parks stayed open in some form — at the start of the lapse, Outside reported that the plan kept park roads, lookouts, trails, and open-air memorials accessible at most park units — but with reduced staffing and services.

The effects also reached projects off the trail. The operator of Davidson River Campground in North Carolina cites last fall’s shutdown among the reasons its renovation has run late.

The Date to Watch: December 11

The current funding runs out after December 11. To avoid a funding gap starting December 12, Congress has to pass either full-year appropriations bills or another stopgap before then, according to the Congressional Research Service.

What to Do With That

For trips between now and early December, funding is in place. If you have a late-fall or winter trip booked at a national park, keep an eye on the news in early December and check the specific park’s website or social channels before you leave. During a lapse, what stays open varies from park to park.

The Bottom Line

Book your fall trips without shutdown worry. Just mark December 11 on the calendar if you are planning something for later in the winter.

Sources

• The White House: H.R. 6500 Signed into Law
• Congressional Research Service: Overview of Continuing Appropriations for FY2027
• Congressional Research Service: National Park Service Government Shutdown Issues
• Government Executive: House passes stopgap spending bill
• Outside: Can You Visit National Parks During the Government Shutdown?

Related

• Davidson River Campground Aims to Reopen Oct. 1 in Time for Leaf Season
• Mark Your Calendar: The Next Free National Park Day Is Coming Up
• Yellowstone and Grand Teton’s Fall Shutdown Is Already Underway